Exercising apparatus



July 19, 1932. Q WQQDS 1,867,642

EXERC I S ING APPARATUS Filed June 6, 1930 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 THE-.- .1.

INVENTOR,

BY 0 I ATTORNEY 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 C. G. WQODS EXERCISING APPARATUS Filed June 6, 1930 July 19, 1932.

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A TTORNE Y Patented July 19, 1932 hire star EXERGISING APPARATUS Application filed June 6,

The object of the present invention is to provide a portable exercising apparatus of relatively simple and light construction, particularly adapted for use on a bed though not necessarily limited to that type of use.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the apparatus and one method of using it.

Figure 2 is a similar view showing a differin ent method of use.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the apparatus per se.

Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view through the same on an enlarged scale.

Figures 5 and 6 are cross sectional views taken respectively on the line 55 and 66 of Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a detail view in elevation of the anti-friction devices for the pulling cables.

In the embodiment disclosed a casing 8 is employed, consisting of a bottom 9, vertical end walls 10, a vertical rear wall 11, and a front wall 12 that is preferably inclined rearwardy. A detachable top 13 is provided 25 which is preferably held in place by screws 1% passing through the end walls and enter ing the ends of the top. This top may have a handle 15.

Within the casing is located a longitudinal- 1y disposed horizontal shaft 16 having its ends journaled in the end portions 17 of a reenforcing strap 18 located against the inner sides of the end walls 10 and secured to the bottom 9. This strap preferably has an in termediate portion doubled, as shown at 19, forming a ournal box for the central portion of the shaft 16. One end of the shaft projects beyond one of the end walls 10 and is provided with an exposed handle crank 20, by means of which the shaft may be rotated. A. pin 21, engaged with the crank 20, detachably engages the end wall 10 and serves to hold the shaft 16 against rotation.

Journaled on the end portions of the shaft 5 16 within the casing and adjacent to the end walls 10 are winding drums 22 having hubs 23 that are rotatable on the shaft 16, said hubs and drums being held against inward movement of the shaft by cotter pins 24 or other 0 suitable devices. One of the side walls of 1930. Serial no. 459,549.

each drum 22 is outwardly turned, as shown at 25,.formin'g a casing within which is located a coiled spring26. This spring is se cured at its inner endto a hub27 fast to the shaft 16. Its outer end is fastened, as shown at 28, to the flange 25. Preferably an outer casing wall 29 is employed for forming a complete housing for said spring 26. It will be understood that the two drums are independently rotatable.

The front wall 12 of the casing is provided with a pad 30 forming a foot rest, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, andthis pad preferably has holding loopsor straps 31. V At the opposite sides of the foot rest or pad 27, the wall is provided with outlet openings 32, in which are anti friction rollers 33. These rollers are journal'ed in bushings 3 f fitted into the said openings. Pull cables '35 pass between the anti-friction rollers 33 and wrap upon the winding drums 22. The outer ends of the cables'are secured to suitable handle loops 36 having hand grips 37 Preferably the case has sliders 38 on'its underside so that it will readily move on thesurface on which it is placed.

The apparatus may be used in various ways. It being a light portable device, itcan be placed, for example, on 'a bed, as shown in Figure 1, and the person using the same, places hisfeet against. the foot rest 30'and under the straps 31. He thus secures the device and by pulling on the handles, can secure aresistance throughthe winding up of the spring drums, giving a beneficial exercise. lnthis connection it will be evident that the handles. may be pulled together or each separately or alternately and the resistance to the movement can be readily varied by turning the shaft 16 in one direction or the other and agaiirfastening it by the device 21. More than that if thelegs are tobe exercised, the case 0r cabinet will also" move and can be moved back and forth by sliding it through V the bending and the straightening of the legs.

The legs and arms can thus'be exercised ei- Obviously the device can be readily carried about and used wherever found desirable, so that it constitutes a self-contained entity, particularly useful in the home.

From the foregoing, it is thought that the construction, operation and many advantages of the herein described invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without further description, and it will be understood that various changes in the size, shape, proportion and minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

What I claim, is:

'1. An apparatus for exercising purposes comprising a portable enclosing casing having one of its walls forming an abutment for the feet of the operator, spring drum mechanism within the casing, and pull handles having connections with the drum mechanism and passing through the said abutment'wall.

2. An apparatus for exercising purposes comprising a portable enclosing casing having one of its upstanding side walls providing a foot rest abutment, pull handles outside the casing, and flexible connections between the handles and drum mechanism passing through the abutment walls .on opposite sides of the foot rest. 7 I

3. An apparatus for exercising purposes, comprising a portable casing having an upstanding abutment wall providing between its ends and on its outer side a foot rest for the operator, a shaft j ournaled in the casing and having an operating crank, and means engaged with the crank for holding said shaft against rotation, a plurality of winding drums jou-rnaled on the shaft and separately rotatable, coiled springs connecting the drums and shaft, pull handles outside the casing, and flexible cables slidably passing through the abutment Wall on opposite sides of the foot rest and respectively wound upon the drums.

4. An apparatus for exercising purposes comprising aportable casing having enclosing walls including a front upwardly and rearwardly inclined wall providing on itsouter face an abutment foot rest for the feet of the operator, spring drum mechanism within the casing behind said wall, and pull devices connected to the spring drum mechanism and slida'bly extending through the front inclined Wall on opposite sides of the foot rest.

In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature.

CHARLES G. WOODS. 

